Taking the stand now in Rod Blagojevich's trial, is Joseph Cari, former Democratic National Committee Finance Chairman in the 2000 presidential campaign.

Cari, also an attorney, pleaded guilty in 2005 to attempted extortion in a scheme involving a state board, the Teachers Retirement System.

Cari, who has not been sentenced, also testified in the 2008 criminal case of Tony Rezko.

Cari is telling jurors that he once worked with a firm Health Point, which won $35 million investments from TRS in 2003 -- through the help of then-TRS board member Stuart Levine. Levine has pleaded guilty to substantial wrongdoing tied to the state.